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Mumbai: A sixth of city’s waste is plastic, paper & glass
TOI Graphic.
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MUMBAI: Mumbai generates 8,866 metric tonnes of waste every day, of which nearly 17% is non-biodegradable material like plastic, paper and glass.
The data, accessed from a recent unreleased report of the civic body indicates that the city has not yet learnt its lessons despite the severe environmental impact of plastic witnessed especially during the 2005 deluge where it choked drains, creeks and ultimately the city. Even on June 19 this year when heavy downpour had crippled Mumbai, civic officials had complained about how plastic once again had choked several water outlets.
The BMC's yet-to-be-released Environment Status Report for 2014-15 shows plastic, glass, metal and paper account for 17% of the total waste generated everyday while 73% is grains and vegetables. Plastic waste is particularly a great cause of concern for the civic body as there is no way of processing the same. Recently the civic body took a decision to offer discount in property tax to housing societies which implement 'zero garbage' scheme in their premises. With two (Deonar and Mulund) of three dumping grounds in Mumbai having reached their full capacity and the civic body facing stiff resistance from environmentalists and NGOs over the Kanjurmarg landfill, the BMC is keen to reduce the total quantum of waste the city generates.
Dry waste vehicles go to each of the 24 administrative wards and the BMC recently uploaded details of dry waste collection dates, routes and timings for all wards on its website mcgm.gov.in. This dry waste, which includes plastic, paper and glass, is collected and sent to the over 30 segregation centers operated by NGOs who have engaged ragpickers. However, the challenge faced by civic officials is that despite these measures, garbage generated from households is unregulated and most of that plastic reaches dumping grounds.
However, Chembur resident and NGO AGNI coordinator Rajkumar Sharma blames the BMC for the situation. He says they have always pointed out that segregation is the only solution, but that is not sufficiently pursued by the BMC. "The dry waste collection routes on the BMC website are not properly updated. Besides, how many people visit the website frequently? It's sad that the BMC is not promoting segregation, which is the need of the hour," said Sharma.
The data, accessed from a recent unreleased report of the civic body indicates that the city has not yet learnt its lessons despite the severe environmental impact of plastic witnessed especially during the 2005 deluge where it choked drains, creeks and ultimately the city. Even on June 19 this year when heavy downpour had crippled Mumbai, civic officials had complained about how plastic once again had choked several water outlets.
The BMC's yet-to-be-released Environment Status Report for 2014-15 shows plastic, glass, metal and paper account for 17% of the total waste generated everyday while 73% is grains and vegetables. Plastic waste is particularly a great cause of concern for the civic body as there is no way of processing the same. Recently the civic body took a decision to offer discount in property tax to housing societies which implement 'zero garbage' scheme in their premises. With two (Deonar and Mulund) of three dumping grounds in Mumbai having reached their full capacity and the civic body facing stiff resistance from environmentalists and NGOs over the Kanjurmarg landfill, the BMC is keen to reduce the total quantum of waste the city generates.
Dry waste vehicles go to each of the 24 administrative wards and the BMC recently uploaded details of dry waste collection dates, routes and timings for all wards on its website mcgm.gov.in. This dry waste, which includes plastic, paper and glass, is collected and sent to the over 30 segregation centers operated by NGOs who have engaged ragpickers. However, the challenge faced by civic officials is that despite these measures, garbage generated from households is unregulated and most of that plastic reaches dumping grounds.
However, Chembur resident and NGO AGNI coordinator Rajkumar Sharma blames the BMC for the situation. He says they have always pointed out that segregation is the only solution, but that is not sufficiently pursued by the BMC. "The dry waste collection routes on the BMC website are not properly updated. Besides, how many people visit the website frequently? It's sad that the BMC is not promoting segregation, which is the need of the hour," said Sharma.
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